Mike Killian Photography

The first set below, with both of Richards' Texans, was flown from Kissimmee to Stuart (with thanks to Brendan Burns, my pilot in the RV-6). Both Texans were on the way to Stuart Air Show for the weekend, where they offered flights to the public for discounted costs before & after each day's show.

Upon arrival to Stuart, Robert Pinksten joined formation piloting the Collings Foundation's TP-51C Mustang "Betty Jane", my photo ship for the fight to Homestead ARB. The weekend would mark the last time Betty Jane would fly before going into a major restoration over the next year.

The next series of images were captured from Betty Jane, en-route from Stuart to Homestead late that afternoon. The plan was for both planes, our P-51 and Thom's P-40, to go into some formation loops to capture new angles on the vintage P-40, angles not possible in just any plane.

VIDEO: Shooting P-40 Formation Loops from a P-51 Mustang

- Some comments from Thom after the flight:

"Having flown the P-40 with numerous P-51's, my observation is that it's superior in performance in pretty much every regard at the same power settings below 250, perhaps 280. It was surprising how well the P-40 performed compared to the P-51. It'll out climb, out dive and out turn the Mustang handily. All that said, the Mustang will leave the P-40 in the dust at higher speed and altitudes.

If I went to war, I'd much rather be in the 51, but for what we do, I'll take the Warhawk any day."

Below are the images from the flight:

Be sure to check out my other gallery with Thom flying the P-40 "Jacky C' at sunset off Long Island, NY last June.

Don't forget to check out our other gallery with Thom flying the P-40 "Jacky C' at sunset off Long Island, NY last June.